5 Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving in New York City

Thanksgiving is a time to honor the friends and family that make our lives so special, and there’s no better way to show your appreciation for your loved ones this season than by spending time together. In New York City, there’s an event or outing to suit every taste this Thanksgiving weekend, so gather up your inner circle and start making holiday memories you’ll cherish long after the holiday season has passed.

Visit the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: There is, perhaps, no holiday gathering in New York that’s quite as iconic as Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Now going into its 89th year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a quintessential New York celebration of both the city and the holiday season.

Enjoy dinner at one of New York’s swankiest restaurants: After slaving away for hours on Thanksgiving Day, it’s important to let somebody else take the reins in the kitchen for the rest of the weekend. Treat yourself to an elegant meal from one of Manhattan’s celebrated restaurants, like Michelin Award-winning chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s venerated Union Square bistro, ABC Kitchen. If you find yourself making a night of it in the Meatpacking District, stop into Bagatelle on Little West 12th Street, where you can enjoy some of the city’s most inventive French cuisine in an intimate environment adorned with crystal chandeliers and linen banquettes. Even those looking to forgo meal prep entirely can still have their turkey and eat it, too — on the Upper East Side, Café Boulud is celebrating in style with a three-course holiday feast.

See the sights from the Empire State Building: While much of the city closes up shop for the holiday, the city’s most beloved building still welcomes guests with open arms. The Empire State Building keeps it doors open for visitors every day this holiday weekend, allowing guests to see the city from Manhattan’s most incredible vantage point and live out their Affair to Remember fantasies.

Visit the Top of the Rock: The Empire State Building may be New York’s most famous structure, but when it comes to offering a rich New York history and an amazing view, Rockefeller Center’s Top of the Rock comes pretty close. From the building’s 850 foot high roof deck, you’ll be able to see all of the city’s most famous sights in one fell sweep, from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park.

Pay Your Respects at the Freedom Tower: Thanksgiving is all about recognizing the things we’re grateful for, from our family and friends to our freedom. This holiday, take a moment to remember those who aren’t here to celebrate with a trip to the One World Observatory, colloquially known as the Freedom Tower. In a mere sixty seconds, you can go from the ground level to the 104th floor, where you’ll get to enjoy amazing vistas from the top of the Western Hemisphere’s tallest tower while reflecting on the history of the site.

Don’t let the holiday festivities keep you cooped up this Thanksgiving — celebrate the sights and sounds of New York with a trip to some of the city’s biggest and brightest attractions this weekend.

Note: This is a guest post by Candace Schaffer; the views and opinions expressed are those of the author. Candice Schaffer works at Knightsbridge Park, a leading digital marketing firm for luxury real estate brands such as Four Seasons Private Residences and Fasano Hotel and Residences at Shore Club.